Ali Shah Paktiawal, a police chief in the eastern province of Nangarhar, said Mullah Anwar, a Taliban commander, and 12 of his fighters were killed in the Khogyani district on January 23. He said Anwar had been behind numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

NATO confirmed the death of Anwar, but said in a statement that the operation took place on January 21. NATO also said that its forces killed a Taliban operative in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district in a strike on January 23.

The coalition said the man, Abdul Bari, helped Taliban leaders get weapons and vehicles.